Article 1 of The Hague on 29 May 1993, adopted the Convention on the protection

of children and co-operation in respect of intercountry adoption, in

the original wording of the texts in force as law in this country.

Original texts shall have the same validity.



The original texts are available together with a Swedish translation

inmates in an annex to this law.



section 2 of the National Agency for family law and parental support is the central authority under the Convention and to fulfil the tasks of such authority, unless otherwise provided by law or regulation.



Authority for family law and parental support issues the certificate referred to in article 23 of the Convention when the adoption took place in Sweden, or when a foreign adoption has transformed this country in accordance with article 27 of the Convention and article 5 of this law. Law (2015:971).



paragraph 3 of the applications referred to in article 14 of the Convention,

be made in the social welfare Committee of the applicant or applicants ' home municipality.



The Social Welfare Board shall



a) compile reports in accordance with article 15(1). of the Convention,



b) examine questions of consent according to article 17 of the Convention.



c) take measures in accordance with article 21 of the Convention.



In Chapter 6, 12-15 of the Social Service Act (2001:453), see

provisions relating to the social welfare committee examines questions about consent

to the adoption order receiving children residing abroad.

Law (2001:476).



section 4 If an authorized association has contracted

intermediation of adoption, the Association



(a)) in accordance with article 15 of the Convention shall submit

reports referred to in article 15(1),



(b)) in accordance with article 16(2) of the Convention receive

reports referred to in article 16 (1),



c) take measures in accordance with articles 18 and 20 of the Convention

It is for the central authority.



paragraph 5 of the Convention, when an adoption is recognised in Sweden

granted in the State of origin without legal

the relationship between the child and its original family has

ceased, the adoption can be converted into an adoption with the

effect as set out in Chapter 4. 8 § parental code. Conversion shall

be done only if the consents referred to in article 27 (1) (b) of

Convention and in Chapter 4. 5 § parental code has been provided.



Court decides on such a conversion on the application of

adopter or adoptanterna.



6 § when a child resides in a country as a refugee or

in a flyktingliknande situation, the child is deemed, for the purposes

of this law have a domicile in the country.



Övergångsbesstämmelser



2004:768



1. this law shall enter into force on 1 January 2005.



2. certificates issued in accordance with paragraph 2 of its older version has

continued validity.



Annex



CONVENTION ON

PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND CO-OPERATION IN RESPECT OF INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION



The States which have signed this Convention,



Recognizing that the child to be able to achieve a complete-you and

harmonious development of their personality should grow up in a

family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding,



Recalling that each State should, as a priority objective

take appropriate measures to enable the child to

remain in their original family's care,



Recognizing that a child who is unable to obtain a suitable

family in his home State could be offered the advantage of a

permanent family through intercountry adoption.



convinced of the need to take action

to ensure that international adoptions are carried out with

regard to the best interests of the child and taking into account its

fundamental rights and to prevent abduction

of, sale of or trafficking in children,



wishing to draw up common rules for this purpose,

having regard to the principles contained in

international instruments, in particular in the United Nations

Convention on the rights of the child of 20 november 1989 and

The United Nations Declaration on social and legal

principles relating to the protection and care of children, particularly with

into account national and international placement in foster care

and adoption (General Assembly resolution 41/85, of the

3 december 1986),



have agreed upon the following provisions-



CHAPTER I-SCOPE OF THE CONVENTION



Article 1



The purpose of this Convention is to



a) establish safeguards to ensure that the international

adoptions are carried out with the account-the best interests of the child and with

respect for its fundamental underlying rights such as these

recognized in international law,



b) establish a system of cooperation among the

Contracting States to ensure that these

guarantees beak-taken and thereby prevent the abduction of,

the sale of or trafficking in children,



c) ensure that the adoptions are carried out in accordance with

the Convention recognized by the Contracting States.



Article 2



1. this Convention shall apply where a child who is resident in

a Contracting State (State of origin) has been transferred,

be transferred or will be transferred to another

Contracting State ("the receiving State") either after

adoption in the State of origin by spouses or a person with

resident in the receiving State, or for such adoption in

the receiving State or in the State of origin.



2. the Convention covers only adoptions which create a

a lasting parent-child relationship.



Article 3



This Convention ceases to apply if the consents referred to in

Article 17 (c) has not been provided before the child reaches eighteen years of

age.



CHAPTER II CONDITIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL

ADOPTIONS



Article 4



An adoption within the scope of the Convention shall be

only if the competent authorities of the Member State of origin has

-



a) determined that the child can be adopted,



(b)) decided that an intercountry adoption is in the child's

best, after the possibility of placing the child within

the country of origin principle-take due account has been taken of,



c) ensured that



1) the persons, institutions and

authorities shall give its consent to the adoption has been

the advice necessary and duly informed of the

the effects of their consent, in particular as to whether a

adoption will lead to the legal relationship

between the child and its family of origin cease or not,



2) such persons, institutions and

authorities have voluntarily consented, in the prescribed

legal form and consent expressed or certified in

writing,



3) assent has not been achieved by

payment or compensation of any kind and do not have

revoked, and



4) the mother's consent, where required,

given only after the child's birth, as well as



(d)), taking into account the age and maturity of the child ensured that



1) the child has a counselling and duly informed

If the effects of the adoption and of his or her consent to the

adoption in cases where such consent is required,



2) account has been taken of the child's wishes and opinion,



3) the child's consent to the aBaptism-tion, where such consent

is required, has been given voluntarily in the required legal form, and

expressed or certified in writing,



4) such consent has not been achieved by payment

or remuneration of any kind.



Article 5



An adoption within the scope of the Convention shall be

only if the host State's competent authorities have



a) determined that the prospective adoptive parents are

competent and suited to adopt;



b) ensured that the prospective adoptive parents has a

the advice may be necessary, and



c) determined that the child is or will be authorized

to enter and reside permanently in that State.



CHAPTER III-CENTRAL AUTHORITIES

NAMED AND AUTHORIZED

ASSOCIATIONS



Article 6



1. each Contracting State shall designate a central authority

who will have the task to perform the obligations which the

imposed upon such authorities under this Convention.



2. Federal States, States with more than one system of law or

States having autonomous territorial units have the freedom to

designate more than one central authority and to specify the

territorial or personal extent of their

powers. Where a State has appointed more than one

Central Authority, it shall specify the central authority to

the messages can be sent for submission to the competent

Central Authority within that State.



Article 7



1. The Central authorities shall cooperate with each other and

encourage cooperation between the competent authorities of their

States to protect children and to achieve the other objectives

with this Convention.



2. They shall take all appropriate measures to-



(a)) provide information about the laws in their States that

concerning adoption and other general information, such as statistics

and standard forms,



b) keep each other informed about how the Convention works

and, as far as possible, eliminate any obstacle to its

application.



Article 8



Central authorities shall, directly or through public agencies,

take all appropriate measures to prevent undue

financial or other gain in connection with an adoption and for

to prevent practices which are contrary to the Convention

purposes.



Article 9



The central authorities shall, directly or through public

body or other authorized State organisations;

take all appropriate measures, in particular to-



a) collect, preserve and exchange information about the child's and the

prospective adoptive parents ' situation, to the extent

required to complete the adoption;



b) facilitate and monitor the matter and push for a quick

treat it with a view to adoption shall be conducted,




c) in their States promote advice in adoption issues and

opportunities to help and support after adoption;



d) provide each other with General evaluation reports about

the experience of international adoption,



e) as far as their States ' laws admits the answer

duly justified requests from other central authorities

or public bodies to get information on a particular

adoption case.



Article 10



Authorisation may be granted and held only by

associations that can show that they have the appropriate skills

to carry out the tasks which may be entrusted to them.



Article 11



A certified association shall-



a) conducting only non profit-making activities in accordance with

the conditions and within such limits as

determined by the competent authorities of the

authorization state



(b)) to be led and staffed by people who, through their ethics

standards and their training or experience is qualified

to work in the field of international adoption, and



(c)) be subject to supervision by competent authorities

with regard to its composition, operation and financial

situation.



Article 12



An association that has been authorised in a Contracting

State may act in another Contracting State only if the

the competent authorities of both States have given their permission

to it.



Article 13



Each Contracting State shall communicate to the

Hague Conference on private international law Permanent Bureau

If the designated central authorities and, where appropriate,

the extent of their powers and if the name and address of the

the authorized associations.



CHAPTER IV-

RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR

INTERNATIONAL

ADOPTION



Article 14



Persons domiciled in a Contracting State which wishes to

adopt a child domiciled in another Contracting State

shall apply to the central authority of the State in which they are

resident.



Article 15



1. If the central authority of the receiving State is satisfied

If the applicants are eligible and suited to adopt, it shall

the compile a report that includes information about

their identity, eligibility and suitability to adopt,

background, family relationships and medical history, social

environment, reasons for adoption, ability to assume responsibility

for an international adoption, as well as information about which children

that they would be qualified to take care of.



2. It shall forward the report to the central authority of

the Member State of origin.



Article 16



1. If the central authority of the Member State of origin has arrived

for the child is available for adoption, it shall-



a) prepare a report including information on the

the child's identity, availability for adoption, background,

social environment and family history as well as on children's and its

family's health history, and the child's special needs,



b) take due account of the child's upbringing and to the

its ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds,



(c)) ensure that consents have been obtained in accordance with

Article 4, and



(d)), in particular on the basis of the reports

concerning the child and the prospective adoptive parents, whether the

the envisaged placement is in the best interests of the child.



2. It shall, to the central authority of the receiving State

submit its report on the child, proof that the necessary

consents have been obtained and a statement of the grounds for the decision

placement, and be careful not to reveal the mother's

and the father's identity, if their identity not be disclosed in the

the Member State of origin.



Article 17



A decision in the State of origin that a child should be submitted

for the care of the prospective adoptive parents may only be taken if

-



a) the central authority of that State has ensured that the

prospective adoptive parents agree;



(b)) the central authority of the receiving State has approved a

that decision provided that the State law or

the central authority of the Member State of origin requires such

approval,



(c)) the central authorities of both States have agreed to

adoption procedure may proceed, and



(d)), in accordance with article 5, has determined that the

prospective adoptive parents are eligible and suited to

adopt and that the child is or will be authorized to

Enter and reside permanently in the receiving

State.



Article 18



The central authorities of both States shall take all

the measures necessary to ensure that the child shall be permitted to

leave the State of origin and to enter and permanent

settle in the receiving State.



Article 19



1. The transfer of the child to the receiving State may

be conducted only if the requirements of article 17 have been satisfied.



2. The Central authorities of both States shall ensure that

the transfer is done in a safe and appropriate manner, and if

possible in the company of the adoptive parents or the intended

the adoptive parents.



3. If the transfer of the child does not take place, the reports

referred to in articles 15 and 16 shall be returned to the

authorities have forwarded them.



Article 20



The central authorities shall keep each other informed about

adoption process and the measures taken to

implement it and, in the case of a probationary period is required, how

the placement is being developed.



Article 21



1. In cases where the adoption is to take place after the child has

was transferred to the receiving State and the central authority

in the State, finds that the continued placement of the child in the

prospective adoptive parents is not in the best interests of the child,

the central authority shall take the necessary measures to

protection of the child, in particular-



a) ensure that the child is taken from the prospective

adoptive parents and arrange temporary care;



b) in consultation with the central authority in the State of origin without

delay make provision for a new placement of the child with a view to

adoption or, if this is not appropriate, to arrange a

alternative long-term care; an adoption shall not take place

until the central authority of the Member State of origin has been duly

been informed of the intended new adoptive parents,



c) as a last resort, provide for the return of the child, if the

the child's interests so require.



2. Taking into account in particular of the child's age and maturity

should the child be consulted and, where appropriate, its consent

be obtained in respect of measures to be taken under this

article.



Article 22



1. To the extent permitted by law in the central authority's State

admits a central authority under this chapter

carried out by public bodies or associations

authorised under Chapter III.



2. A Contracting State may make a declaration to the

the depositary of this Convention, the requested central authority

information under articles 15 to 21 may be performed in the

State, to the extent permitted by law and under the supervision

by the competent authorities of that State, also by bodies or

persons who-



a) meets the requirements of the State on integrity, professional competence,

experience and responsibility, and



(b)) are, by their ethical standards and by training or

experience, qualified to work in the field

international adoptions.



3. A Contracting State which makes a declaration in accordance with

paragraph 2 shall keep the Hague Conference for international

private international law Permanent Bureau informed of these agencies and

people's names and addresses.



4. A Contracting State may make a declaration to the

the depositary of the Convention that adoptions of children with

resident in its territory may only take place if

central authorities are performed in accordance with paragraph 1.



5. Whether any explanation has been given in accordance with paragraph 2

should the reports referred to in articles 15 and 16 in all

cases compiled under the central authority or other

bodies or associations liability under paragraph 1.



CHAPTER V-

RECOGNITION AND

EFFECT OF

ADOPTION



Article 23



1. An adoption certified by the competent authority in

the State where the adoption took place has been carried out in accordance

This Convention shall be recognised in the other

Contracting States immediately because of the law. Certificate

shall include information about when and by whom the consent has

submitted under article 17 c.



2. each Contracting State shall, at the time of

signature, ratification, acceptance, approval or

connection notify the depositary for this Convention on

which authority or authorities having jurisdiction

to issue certificates and if such authority or

authorities ' powers. It shall also inform the

the depositary of any change relating to the designation of such

authorities.



Article 24



A Contracting State may refuse to recognise an adoption

only if the adoption is manifestly incompatible with the grounds for

the law of the State concerned, taking into consideration the child's

the best.



Article 25



A Contracting State may, in a declaration addressed to the

the depositary of this Convention, specify that it does not, according to

This Convention shall be obliged to recognise adoptions

carried out in accordance with an agreement concluded

by application of article 39(2).



Article 26



1. The recognition of an adoption includes recognition of



(a)) the legal parental-barnförhållandet between the child and the

its adoptive parents,



b) adoptive parents parental responsibility for the child;



(c)) that the legal relationship between the child and the

its mother and father stopped, if the adoption has this effect in the

Contracting State in which it took place.



2. When an adoption entails that a previous legal parental-


child relationship, the child in the receiving State

and in any other Contracting State where the adoption is recognized

enjoy rights that are equivalent to those in each

of these States follows by adoptions with the specified effect.



3. The above paragraphs shall not prevent the application of

any provision which is more favourable to the child and who is in

force in the Contracting State which recognizes the adoption.



Article 27



1. When an adoption is granted in the State of origin does not

means that a previous legal parent-child relationship

expires, the adoption in the receiving State which recognises the

under the Convention is converted into an adoption having such

effect-



(a)) if the law of the requested State permits, and



(b)) if the consent referred to in article 4 c and 4 d have

supplied or provided for such adoption.



2. Article 23 shall be applied to the decision which transforms

adoption.



CHAPTER VI-GENERAL PROVISIONS



Article 28



This Convention does not affect any State of origin teams

provides for the adoption of a child resident in the State

shall take place in that State or which prohibits the child's

placement in, or transfer to, the receiving State prior to

adoption.



Article 29



No contact between the prospective adoptive parents and

the child's parents or any other person who has the child in

their health may not occur until the requirements of article 4 (a) to (c) and

Article 5. (a) have been met, unless the adoption takes place within a

family or the connector is compatible with the conditions

established by the competent authority of the Member State of origin.



Article 30



1. the competent authorities of a Contracting State shall

ensure that the information about the child's origin

authorities hold preserved, in particular as regards information

If the parent's identity and medical history.



2. They shall ensure that the child or its agents have

access to such information, under appropriate guidance, in

the extent that the law in the State admits it.



Article 31



Without prejudice to article 30, personal data as

gathered or transmitted under the Convention, in

particular the data referred to in articles 15 and 16, only

be used for the purposes for which they were collected or

surrendered.



Article 32



1. No one may make improper financial or other gain in

international adoption business.



2. only costs and expenses, including reasonable

professional fees of persons involved in the

adoption, may be charged or paid.



3. Management, administration and personnel in those associations

involved in an adoption shall not receive remuneration as

is unreasonably high in relation to services rendered.



Article 33



A competent authority which finds that any provision of this

Convention has not been respected or that there is a high risk

that it will not be taken into account, shall immediately inform the

the central authority of the State of their own. This central authority

is responsible for ensuring that appropriate measures are taken.



Article 34



If the competent authority of the State which is the recipient of a

the document requires it, a translation must be provided with

certificate to match the original. If nothing else

provided, the prospective adoptive parents pay

the costs of such translation.



Article 35



The competent authorities of the Contracting States shall

handle adoption issues quickly.



Article 36



In relation to a State which in matters of adoption, two

or more legal systems applicable in different territorial

devices shall-



a) any reference to habitual residence in that State shall be deemed to refer to

habitual residence in a territorial unit of that State;



b) any reference to the law of that State shall be deemed to refer to

the law in force in the relevant territorial unit;



c) any reference to competent authorities or to

public agencies in the State are considered to relate to such authorities

who is authorized to act in the relevant territorial

the device,



d) every reference to the authorized associations in the

the State is considered to refer to associations which are authorized in the

the relevant territorial unit.



Article 37



In relation to a State which in matters of adoption, two

or more legal systems for different population groups shall

any reference to the law of that State shall be deemed to refer to the

legal system provided for in the State law.



Article 38



A State within which different territorial units have their own

rules on adoption shall not be bound to apply the

This Convention if a State with a unified system of law

would not be obliged to do so.



Article 39



1. this Convention does not affect any international

instruments which the Contracting States are parties and

which contains provisions on matters governed by

the Convention, unless a contrary declaration made by the

States parties to such instrument.



2. A Contracting State may enter into agreements with a

or more other Contracting States with a view to

improve the application of this Convention in the States

mutual relations. These agreements may derogate

only from the provisions of articles 14 to 16 and 18

to 21. States which have concluded such an agreement shall

send a copy to the depositary of this Convention.



Article 40



No reservations to this Convention shall be permitted.



Article 41



This Convention shall apply in every case where an application

According to article 14 has been received after the Convention has

in force in the receiving State and in the State of origin.



Article 42



The Secretary General of the Hague Conference on private international

private law shall at regular intervals convene a

Special Commission to review the practical application

of this Convention.



CHAPTER VII-

FINAL PROVISIONS



Article 43



1. This Convention is open for signature by the States which

were members of the Hague Conference on private international law

at the time of its seventeenth session and by the other States

who participated in this session.



2. It shall be subject to ratification, acceptance or approval and

instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval

be deposited with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands,

who is the depositary of the Convention.



Article 44



1. any other State may accede to the Convention after the

entry into force in accordance with article 46(1).



2. The instrument of accession shall be deposited with the depositary.



3. Accession shall take effect only as between the

acceding State and those Contracting States which have not

made any objection to the Association within six months after

the notification in article 48. b. States

can make such a complaint even when after a connection

ratifies, accepts or approves the Convention. The depositary

shall be notified of any such objection.



Article 45



1. A Contracting State which consists of two or more

territorial units with different systems of law in matters

governed by this Convention, when signing,

ratification, acceptance, approval or accession

declare that this Convention shall extend to all its devices

or only one or more of them and may at any time change

its declaration by submitting another declaration.



2. the depositary shall be notified of any such explanation

and the Declaration shall expressly provide for the

territorial units Convention shall apply.



3. If a State does not make any declaration under this

Article, the Convention covers all its territorial

devices.



Article 46



1. the Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month

following the expiration of three months after the

the third instrument of ratification, acceptance or

the instrument of approval provided for in article 43 has been deposited.



2. Thereafter the Convention shall enter into force



(a)) in respect of each State which subsequently ratifies,

accepts or approves it or acceding to it, the

the first day of the month following the expiration of three

months after its instrument of ratification, acceptance,

approval or accession has been deposited,



(b)) in relation to a territorial unit to which the Convention

has been extended in accordance with article 45, on the first

day of the month following the expiration of three months

After the notification referred to in that article.



Article 47



1. A State party to the Convention may denounce it by

a notification in writing addressed to the depositary.



2. The termination is effective from the first day of the month

following the expiration of twelve months after the

the depositary has received the notification. When a longer

the period of notice specified in the notification of the denunciation takes effect

force after the expiration of such longer period after the

the depositary has received the notification.



Article 48



The depositary shall notify the States members of the

The Hague Conference on private international law, the other

States which participated in the seventeenth session and the States which

have acceded to the Convention in accordance with article 44

If the following-



(a) signatures, ratifications) the, recognition and

authorisations referred to in article 43,



(b)) the connections as well as the objections have been resolved against

accessions referred to in article 44,



(c)) date of the entry into force of the Convention in accordance with article 46,



(d)) the explanations and naming and shaming as referred to in articles 22,

23, 25 and 45,



e) the agreements referred to in article 39,




f) the denunciations referred to in article 47.



In witness whereof the undersigned, being

duly authorised, have signed this Convention.



Done at the Hague, the............. 19.., in English and

French languages, both texts being equally authentic, in a single

copy which shall be deposited in the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Government archive, and of which a certified copy of the

diplomatic means shall be provided to each Member State of the

The Hague Conference on private international law at the time

for its seventeenth session as well as to each other

States which participated in that session.



CONVENTION SUR LA PROTECTION DES ENFANTS ET LA COOPÉRATION EN

MATIÈRE D ' ADOPTION INTERNATIONALE



Les Etats signataires de la présente Convention,



Reconnaissant que, pour l ' épanouissement harmonieux de sa

personnalité, l'enfant doit grandir dans un milieu familial,

dans un climat de bonheur, d'amour et de compréhension,



Rappelant que chaque État devrait prendre par priorité, des

Mesures appropriées pour permettre le maintien de l ' enfant

dans sa famille d ' origine,



Reconnaissant que l ' adoption internationale peut présenter

l ' avantage de donner une famille permanente à l'enfant pour

amend the terms une famille



appropriée ne peut être trouvée dans son État d'origine,



Convaincus de la nécessité de prévoir des measures pour

garantir que les adoption internationales aient lieu dans

l ' intérêt supérieur de l'enfant et le respect de ses droits

fondamentaux pour prévenir, ainsi que l ' enlèvement, la vente

ou la traite d ' enfants,



Désirant établir à cet effet des outline communes qui

tiennent compte des principes reconnus par les instruments

' notamment ' internationaux, par la Convention des Nations Unies

sur les droits de l'enfant, du 20 novembre 1989, et par la

Déclaration des Nations Unies sur les principes et sociaux

for Legal Affairs applicables à la protection et au bien-être des

Enfants, envisagés especially sous l ' angle des of the Cher department a

matière d ' adoption et de placement familial sur les plans

National et international de l ' Assemblée générale (explanatory statement must accord with

41/85 du 3 décembre 1986),



Sont convenus des outline suivantes:



CHAPITRE I-CHAMP D ' APPLICATION DE LA CONVENTION



Article premier



La présente Convention a pour objet:



(a) d ' établir des guaranteed pour que les adoption inter-

nationales aient lieu dans l ' intérêt supérieur de l'enfant et

dans le respect des droits fondamentaux qui lui sont reconnus

en droit international;



b d ' instaurer un système de coopération entre les Etats

contractants pour assurer le respect de ces guaranteed et

prévenir ainsi l ' enlèvement, la vente ou la traite d ' enfants;



c d ' assurer la reconnais-sance dans les Etats contractants des

adoption réalisées selon la Convention.



Article 2



1 La Convention s ' applique lorsqu ' un enfant résidant

habituellement dans un État contractant («l ' État d'origine») (a)

été, est ou doit être déplacé vers un autre État contractant

(«l ' État d ' accueil»), soit après son adoption dans l ' État

d'origine ou par une personne résidant des époux

habituellement dans l'Etat d'accueil, soit en vue d'une telle

adoption dans l'Etat d'accueil ou dans l ' État d'origine.



2 La Convention ne vise que les adoption établissant un lien

the filiation.



Article 3



La Convention cesse de s ' appliquer si les acceptations visées

à l'article 17, lettre c, n ' ont pas été données avant que

L'Enfant ait atteint l ' âge de n ' dix-huit ans.



CHAPITRE II-CONDITIONS

DES ADOPTION

INTERNATIONALES



Article 4



Les adoption visées par la Convention ne can avoir lieu

que si les autorités com pétentes de l ' État d'origine:



(a) ont établi que l'enfant est adoptable;



b ont constaté, après avoir examiné les possibilités de dûment

placement de l'enfant dans son État d'origine, qu ' une adoption

Internationale répond à l ' intérêt supérieur de l'enfant;



c see sont assurées



1) que les personnes, institutions et autorités dont le

on est requise pour l ' été hurts adoption entourées des

Conseil nécessaires et dûment informées sur les conséquences

de leur on, a particulier sur le maintien ou la

rupture, a raison d'une adoption, des liens de droit entre

l'enfant et sa famille d ' origine,



2) que celles-ci ont donné librement leur on dance

Les formes légales requises, et que ce on a été

donné ou constaté par écrit,



3) que les consentements n ' ont pas été obtenus moyennant

paiement ou contrepartie d ' aucune sorte et qu ' ils n ' ont pas

été retirés, et



4) que le on de la mère, s'il est requise, n'a été

donné qu ' après la naissance de l'enfant; et



d see sont assurées, eu provide à l ' âge et à la maturité de

l'enfant,



1) que celui-ci a été entouré de Conseil et dûment informé

sur les conséquences de adoption et de son on à

l ' adoption, si celui-ci est requise,



2) que les souhaits et avis de l'enfant ont été pris en

considération,



3) que le on the L'Enfant à l '-adoption, lors qu'il

EST requise, a été donné librement, dans les formes légales

requises, et que son on a été donné ou constaté par

écrit, et



4) que ce on n'a pas été obtenu moyennant paiement

OU contrepartie d ' aucune sorte.



Article 5



Les adoption visées par la Convention ne can avoir lieu

les autorités compétentes de que si l'Etat d'accueil:



(a) ont constaté que les futurs parents adoptifs sont qualifiés

et aptes à adopter;



b see sont assurées que les futurs parents adoptifs ont été

entourés des conseils nécessaires; et



c ont constaté que l'enfant est ou sera denied having à entrer et à

séjourner de façon permanente dans cet Etat.



CHAPITRE III-



AUTORITÉS CENTRALES ET ORGANISMES AGRÉÉS



Article 6



1 Chaque État contractant désigne une Autorité centrale

chargée de satisfaire aux bond qui lui sont imposées

par la Convention.



2 Un Etat fédéral, un État dans plusieurs systèmes amend the terms they

droit sont en vigueur ou un État ayant des unités

autonomes territoriales est libre de désigner plus d'une

Autorité centrale et de spécifier l ' étendue territoriale ou

personnelle de leurs fonctions. L ' État qui fait usage de cette

Faculté désigne l ' Autorité centrale à laquelle toute

communication peut être adressée en vue de sa transmission à

l ' Autorité centrale compétente au sein de cet État.



Article 7



1 Les Autorités centrales it coopérer entre elles et

promouvoir une collaboration entre les autorités compétentes

de leurs Etats pour assurer la protection des enfants et

réaliser les autres objectifs de la Convention.



2 Elles prennent toutes mesures appropriées pour directement:



a fournir des information sur la législation de leurs Etats

en matière d ' adoption et d'autres information Générale,

TELLES que des statistiques et formules types;



b s ' informer mutuellement sur le fonctionnement de la

Convention et, dans la mesure du possible, les obstacles

à son application.



Article 8



Autorités prennent Les centrales, soit directement, soit avec

Le concours d ' autorités publiques, toutes mesures appropriées

pour prévenir les gains matériels indus à l ' occasion d'une

adoption et empêcher toute pratique contraire aux objectifs de

La Convention.



Article 9



Autorités prennent Les centrales, soit directement, soit avec

Le concours d ' autorités publiques ou d ' organismes dûment

agréés dans leur Etat, toutes mesures appropriées, ' notamment '

pour:



(a) the rassembler, conserver et échanger des information relatives

à la situation de l'enfant et des futurs parents adoptifs,

dans la mesure nécessaire à la réalisation de l ' adoption;



(b) special facilities, suivre et activer la procédure en vue de

l ' adoption;



c promouvoir dans leurs Etats le développement de services de

Conseil pour l ' adoption et pour le suivi de adoption;



d échanger des rapports généraux d ' évaluation sur les

expériences en matière d ' adoption internationale;



e répondre, dans la mesure permise par la loi de leur Etat,

aux demandes motivées d ' information sur une situation

Particulière d ' adoption formulées par d'autres Autorités

Centrales ou par des autorités publiques.



Article 10



Can seuls bénéficier de l ' agrément et le conserver les

organismes qui démontrent leur aptitude à remplir command

Les missions qui violence leur être confiées.



Article 11



UN which agréé doit:



(a) non uniquement des buts lucratifs poursuivre dans les

conditions et limites fixées par les autorités compétents de

l ' État d ' agrément;



b être dirigé et géré par des personnes qualifiées par leur

intégrité morale et leur formation ou expérience pour agir

dans le domaine de l ' adoption internationale; et



c être soumis à la surveillance d ' autorités compétentes de cet

Etat pour sa composition, son fonctionnement et sa situation

financière.



Article 12



UN État contractant agréé dans un which ne pourra agir

dans un autre État contractant que si les autorités

compétentes des deux Etats, l ' evil denied having.



Article 13



La désignation de centrales Autorités et, le cas échéant,

l ' étendue de leurs fonctions, ainsi que le nom et l'adresse

des organismes agréés, sont communiqués par chaque Etat

contractant au Bureau Permanent de la Conférence de La Haye de

droit international privé.



CHAPITRE IV-



CONDITIONS



PROCÉDURALES



DE ADOPTION



INTERNATIONALE



Article 14



Les personnes résidant habituellement dans un Etat

contractant, qui désirent adopter un enfant dont la résidence

habituelle est dans un autre État contractant located in metropolitan, it


s ' Autorité centrale à l ' addresses de l'Etat de leur résidence

habituelle.



Article 15



1 Si l ' Autorité centrale de l ' État d ' accueil considère que les

requérants sont qualifiés et aptes à adopter, elle établit un

report contenant des renseignements sur leur identité, leur

Capacité légale et leur aptitude à adopter, leur situation

personnelle, familiale et médicale, leur milieu social, les

les motifs qui animent, leur aptitude à assumer une adoption

Internationale, ainsi que sur les enfants qu ' ils seraient

aptes à prendre en charge.



2 Elle transmet le rapport à l ' Autorité centrale de l ' État

d'origine.



Article 16



1 Si l ' Autorité centrale de l ' État d'origine considère que

L'Enfant est adoptable,



(a) elle établit un report contenant des renseignements sur

l ' identité de l enfant, son adoptabilité, son milieu social,

son evolution personnelle et familiale, son passé médical et

celui de sa famille, ainsi que sur ses besoins particuliers;



b elle tient dûment compte des conditions d ' éducation de

l'enfant, ainsi que de son origine ethnique, religieuse et

culturelle;



c elle s ' assure que les consentements visés à l'article 4 ont

été obtenus; et



d elle constate, se fondant sur les ' notamment ' report

expired, l'enfant et les futurs parents adoptifs, que le

placement est envisagé dans l ' intérêt supérieur de l'enfant.



2 Elle transmet à l ' Autorité centrale de l ' État d ' accueil son

Rapport sur l ' enfant, la preuve des consentements requise et

Les motifs de son constat sur le placement, a veillant à ne

PAS révéler l ' indentité de la mère et du père, si, dans l ' État

d'origine, cette identité ne peut pas être divulguée.



Article 17



Toute décision de confier un enfant à des futurs parents

adoptifs ne peut être prise dans l'Etat d'origine que



(a) si l ' Autorité centrale de cet Etat s ' est assurée de l ' accord

des futurs parents adoptifs;



(b) si l ' Autorité centrale de l ' État d'accueil a approuvé cette

décision, lorsque la loi de cet État ou l ' Autorité centrale de

l ' État d'origine le requiert;



(c) si les Autorités centrales des deux Etats ont accepte que la

procédure en vue de se poursuive adoption; et



(d) s'il a été constaté conformément à l'article 5 que les

futurs parents adoptifs sont qualifiés et aptes à adopter et

que l'enfant est ou sera à séjourner et à entrer denied having the

façon permanente dans l'Etat d'accueil.



Article 18



Les Autorités centrales des deux Etats prennent toutes mesures

utiles pour que l ' enfant reçoive l authorization de sortie de

l ' État d'origine, ainsi que celle d ' entrée et de séjour

Permanent dans l'Etat d'accueil.



Article 19



1 Le déplacement de l'enfant vers l ' État d ' accueil ne peut

avoir lieu que si les conditions de l'article 17 ont été

remplies.



2 Les Autorités centrales des deux Etats veillent à ce que ce

déplacement s ' effectue a toute sécurité, dans des conditions

appropriées et, si possible, en compagnie des parents adoptifs

ou des futurs parents adoptifs.



3 Si ce déplacement n'a pas lieu, les rapports visés aux

articles 15 et 16 sont renvoyés aux autorités expéditrices.



Article 20



Les Autorités centrales se tiennent informées sur la procédure

d ' adoption et les mesures prises pour la cancer à terme, ainsi

que sur le déroulement de la période probatoire, lorsque

Celle-ci est requise.



Article 21



1 Lorsque l ' après avoir le lieu doit adoption déplacement de

L'enfant dans l'Etat d'Accueil et que l ' Autorité centrale de

CET État considère que le maintien de l ' enfant dans la famille

d ' accueil n'est plus de son intérêt supérieur, cette Autorité

prend les mesures utiles à la protection de l'enfant, a vue

' notamment ':



(a) de retirer l'enfant aux personnes qui désiraient l ' adopter

et d'en prendre soin provisoirement;



(b) a consultation avec l ' Autorité centrale de l ' État

d'origine, sans "délai d ' assurer un nouveau placement the

L'Enfant en vue de son adoption ou, à défaut, une prise en

charge alternative durable; une adoption ne peut avoir lieu

que si l ' Autorité centrale de l ' État d'origine a été dûment

informée sur les nouveaux parents adoptifs;



c a dernier ressort, d ' assurer le retour de l ' enfant, si son

l ' intérêt exige.



2 the Eu provide ' notamment ' à l ' âge et à la maturité de l'enfant,

celui-ci sera le cas échéant et, consulté, son on

obtenu sur les mesures à prendre conformément au présent

article.



Article 22



1 Les fonctions conférées à l ' Autorité centrale par le présent

Chapitre can être excercées par des autorités publiques ou

par des organismes Agréé conformément au chapitre III, dance

La mesure Prevue par la loi de son État.



2 Un État contractant peut déclarer auprès du dépositaire de

La Convention que les fonctions conférées à l ' Autorité

Centrale par les articles 15 à 21 can aussi être exercées

dans cet Etat, dans la mesure Prevue par la loi et sous le

Contrôle des autorités compétentes de cet État, par des

organismes ou personnes qui:



(a) remplissent les conditions de moralité, de compétence

professionnelle, d ' expérience et de responsabilité requises

par cet Etat; et



b sont qualifiées par leur intégrité morale et leur formation

OU expérience pour agir dans le domaine de l ' adoption

Internationale.



3 L ' État contractant qui fait la déclaration visée au

paragraphe 2 informe régulièrement le Bureau Permanent de la

Conférence de La Haye de droit international privé des noms et

adresses de ces organismes et personnes.



4 Un État contractant peut déclarer auprès du dépositaire de

La Convention que les adoption d ' enfants dont la résidence

habituelle est located in metropolitan sur son territoire ne can avoir lieu

que si les fonctions sont conférées aux Autorités centrales

conformément au paragraphe exercées premier.



5 Nonobstant toute déclaration effectuée conformément au

paragraphe 2, les rapports prévus aux articles 15 et 16 sont,

dans tous les cas, sous la responsabilité de établis

l ' Autorité centrale ou d'autres autorités ou organismes,

conformément au paragraphe premier.



CHAPITRE V



RECONNAISSANCE ET

EFFETS DE ADOPTION



Article 23



1 certifiée conforme à la Une adoption Convention couple

l ' autorité compétente de l ' État contractant où elle a eu lieu

EST reconnue de plein droit dans les autres Etats

contractants. Le certificat indique quand et par qui les

acceptations visées à l'article 17, lettre c, ont été données.



2 Tout État contractant, au moment de la signature de la

ratification, de l ' acceptation ou approbation, de de

l ' adhésion, notify au dépositaire de la Convention

l ' identité et les fonctions de l ' autorité ou des autorités

qui, dans cet Etat, le sont compétentes pour délivrer

Certificat. Il lui notify aussi toute modification dans la

désignation de ces autorités.



Article 24



La reconnaissance d'une adoption ne peut être refusée dans un

État contractant que si l ' adoption est manifestement contraire

à son ordre public, compte tenu de l ' intérêt supérieur de

l'enfant.



Article 25



Tout État contractant peut déclarer au dépositaire de la

Convention qu'il ne sera pas tenu de reconnaître en vertu de

Celle-ci conformément à un les adoption of Prague accord conclu

an application de l'article 39, paragraphe 2.



Article 26



1 La reconnaissance de ad-option comporte celle



a you lien de filiation entre l'enfant et ses parents adoptifs;



(b) "de la responsabilité des parents adoptifs à

l provide de l'enfant;



c de la rupture du lieu préexistant de filiation entre

l'enfant et sa mère et son père, si l ' adoption produit cet

Effet dans l ' État contractant où elle a eu lieu.



2 Si l ' adoption a pour effet de rompre le lieu préexistant de

filiation, l'enfant jouit, dans l'Etat d'Accueil et dans tout

Autre État contractant où l ', est reconnue adoption des droits

équivalents à media résultant d'une adoption produisant cet

Effet dans chacun de ces Etats.



3 Les paragraphes précédents ne portent pas atteinte à

l'application de toute disposition plus favorable à l'enfant,

en vigueur dans l ' État contractant qui reconnaît l ' adoption.



Article 27



1 Lorsqu ' une promote your adoption dans l'Etat d'origine n'a pas pour

Effet de rompre le lieu préexistant de filiation, elle peut,

dans l ' État d ' accueil qui reconnaît l ' adoption conformément à

La Convention, être convertie en produisant une adoption cet

Effet,



(a) si le droit de l ' État d ' accueil le permet; et



(b) si les consentements visés à l'article 4, lettres c et d,

ont été ou sont donnés en vue d'une telle adoption.



2 l'article 23 s ' applique à la décision de conversion.



CHAPITRE VI-DIPOSITIONS GÉNÉRALES



Article 28



La Convention ne déroge pas aux lois de l'Etat d'origine qui

requièrent que l ' adoption d'un enfant résidant habituellement

dans cet État doive avoir lieu dans cet État ou qui

interdisent le placement de l'enfant dans l'Etat d'accueil ou

son déplacement vers cet Etat avant son adoption.



Article 29



Aucun contact entre les futurs parents adoptifs et les parents

de l'enfant ou toute autre personne qui a la garde de celui-ci

ne peut avoir lieu tant que les disposition de l'article 4,

Lettres a à c, et de l'article 5, lettre a, n ' ont pas été

respectées, sauf si l ' adoption a lieu entre principles d'une même

Famille ou si les conditions fixées par l ' autorité compétente

de l ' État d'origine sont remplies.



Article 30



Les autorités compétentes 1 d'un État contractant veillent à

conserver les information qu ' elles détiennent sur les

origines de l'enfant, ' notamment ' celles relatives à l ' identité

de sa mère et de son père, ainsi que les données sur le passé

Médical de l'enfant et de sa famille.




2 Elles assurent l ' accès de l'enfant ou de son représentant à

CES information, avec les conseils appropriés, dans la mesure

PERMISE par la loi de leur État.



Article 31



Sous réserve de l'article 30, les données personnelles

rassemblées transmises à la Convention ou conformément, a

particulier celles visées aux articles 15 et 16, ne can

être utilisées à d'autres fins que celles pour lesquelles

Elles ont été transmises rassemblées ou.



Article 32



1 Nul ne peut tirer un gain Forex indu a raison d'une

intervention à l ' occasion d'une adoption internationale.



2 Seuls can être payés demandés et les frais et Festival,

y compris les honoraires des personnes qui sont raisonnables

intervenues dans l ' adoption.



3 Les administrateurs et dirigeants, employés d ' organismes

intervenant dans une adoption ne can recevoir une

disproportionnée rémunération par rapport aux services rendus.



Article 33



Toute autorité compétente qui constate qu ' une des outline

de la Convention a été manifestement méconnue ou risque de

l ' être en informe aussitôt l ' Autorité centrale de l ' État dont

Elle relève. Cette Autorité centrale a la responsabilité de

veiller à ce que les mesures utiles anything prises.



Article 34



SI l ' autorité compétente de l ' État destinataire d'un document

Le requiert, une traduction certifiée conforme doit être

produite. Sauf dispensing, les frais de traduction sont à la

charge des futurs parents adoptifs.



Article 35



Les autorités compétentes des Etats contractants agissent

rapidement dans les procédures d ' adoption.



Article 36



Au regard d'un Etat qui connaît, en matière d ' adoption, deux

ou plusieurs systèmes de droit applicables dans des unités

territoriales différentes:



a toute (BCR) à la résidence habituelle dans cet Etat vise

La résidence habituelle dans une unité territoriale de cet

Etat;



b toute (BCR) à loi de cet Etat vise la loi en vigueur

dans l ' unité territoriale concernée;



aux autorités compétentes c toute (BCR) ou aux autorités

publiques de cet Etat vise les autorités habilitées à agir

dans l ' unité territoriale concernée;



d aux organismes agréés de toute (BCR) cet Etat vise les

organismes agréés dans l ' unité territoriale concernée.



Article 37



Au regard d'un Etat qui connaît, en matière d ' adoption, deux

ou plusieurs systèmes de droit applicables à des catégories

différentes de personnes, à toute (BCR) la loi de cet Etat

vise le système de droit désigné par le droit de celui-ci.



Article 38



UN État dans leurs différentes unités territoriales evil amend the terms

propres règles de droit en matière d ' adoption ne sera pas tenu

d ' appliquer la Convention lorsqu ' un Etat dont le système de

droit est unifié ne serait pas tenu de appliquer.



Article 39



1 La Convention ne déroge pas aux instruments internationaux

auxquels des Etats contractants sont Parties et qui

contiennent des outline sur les matières réglées par la

présente Convention, à moins qu'elle une déclaration contraire ne

promote your soit par les Etats dependent pair de tels instruments.



2 Tout État contractant pour conclure avec un-ra ou plusieurs

Autres Etats contractants des accord a vue de favoriser

l'application de la Convention dans leurs rapports

réciproques. CES accord ne pourront déroger qu ' aux

disposition des articles 14 à 16 et 18 à 21. Les Etats qui

auront conclu de tels accord a transmettront une copie au

dépositaire de la Convention.



Article 40



Aucune réserve à la Convention n ' est admise.



Article 41



La Convention s ' applique chaque fois qu ' une demande visée à

l'article 14 a été reçue après l ' entrée en vigueur de la

Convention dans l'Etat d'Accueil et l ' État d'origine.



Article 42



Le Secrétaire général de la Conférence de La Haye de droit

international law convoque périodiquement une Commission

spéciale increase its d ' fonctionnnement examiner le pratique de la

Convention.



CHAPITRE VII — CLAUSES



FINALES



Article 43



1 La Convention est ouverte à la signature des Etats qui

Principles of étaient de la Conférence de La Haye de droit

international privé lors de sa Dix-septième session et des

Autres Etats qui ont participé à cette Session.



2 Elle sera ratifiée, acceptée ou approuvée et les instruments

the ratification, acceptation ou d ' approbation seront déposés

auprès du Ministère des Affaires Etrangères du Royaume des

Pays-Bas, dépositaire de la Convention.



Article 44



1 Tout autre Etat pourra adhérer à la Convention après son

entrée en vigueur en vertu de l'article 46, paragraphe 1.



2 L ' adhésion auprès d ' sera déposé instruments du dépositaire.



3 L ' adhésion n ' aura d ' effet que dans les rapports entre l'Etat

adhérant et les Etats contractants qui n ' auront pas élevé

d ' objection à son encontre dans les six mois après la

réception de la notification Prevue à l'article 48, lettre b.

Une telle objection pourra également être élevée par tout État

au moment d ' une ratification, acceptation ou approbation de la

Convention, ultérieure à l ' adhésion. CES objections seront

notifiées au dépositaire.



Article 45



1 Un Etat qui comprend deux ou plusieurs unités territoriales

dans lesquelles des différents systèmes de droit s ' appliquent

aux matières régies par cette Convention pourra, au moment de

La signature, de la ratification, de l ' acceptation, the

l ' approbation ou de l ' adhésion, déclarer que la présente

Convention s ' appliquera à toutes ses unités territoriales ou

seulement à l'une ou à plusieurs d ' entre elles, et pourra à

tout moment modifier cette déclaration en faisant une nouvelle

Déclaration.



2 Ces déclarations "seront notifiées au dépositaire et

indiqueront expressément les unités territoriales auxquelles

La Convention s ' applique.



3 Si un État ne fait pas de déclaration en vertu du présent

Article, la Convention s ' appliquera à l ' ensemble du territoire

de cet État.



Article 46



1 entrera en vigueur La Convention le premier jour du mois

Suivant l ' expiration d'une période de trois mois après le

dépôt du French instrument de ratification, acceptation

ou d ' approbation prévu par l'article 43.



2 Par la suite, la Convention entrera en vigueur:



(a) pour chaque Etat ratifiant, approuvant ou acceptant.

adhérant postérieurement, ou, le premier jour du mois suivant

l ' expiration d'une période de trois mois après le dépôt de son

instrument de ratification, acceptation ou approbation d ', d '

d ' adhésion;



b pour les unités territoriales auxquelles la Convention a été

étendue conformément à l'article 45, le premier jour du mois

Suivant l ' expiration d'une période de trois mois après la

notification visée dans cet article.



Article 47



1 Tout État Partie pourra à dénoncer la Convention celle-ci

adressée par écrit par une notification au dépositaire.



2 La dénonciation prendra effet le premier jour du mois

Suivant l ' expiration d'une période de douze mois après la date

de réception de la notification par le dépositaire. Lorsqu ' une

Période plus longue pour la prise d ' effet de la dénonciation

EST spécifiée dans la notification, la dénonciation prendra

Effet de la période à l ' expiration a question après la date

de réception de la notification.



Article 48



Le dépositarie notify aux Etats principles de la Conférence de

La Haye de droit international privé, aux autres Etat qui ont

participé à la Dix-septième session, ainsi qu ' aux Etats qui

auront adhéré conformément aux disposition de l'article 44:



(a) signatures, ratifications, les acceptations et approbations

visées à l'article 43;



b les adhésions et les adhésions visées aux objections à

l'article 44;



c la date à laquelle la Convention entrera en vigueur

conformément aux disposition de l'article 46;



d les déclarations "et les désignations mentionnées aux

articles 22, 23, 25 et 45;



e les accord mentionnés à l'article 39;



f les dénonciations visées à l ' articles 47.



En foi de quoi, les soussignés, dûment autorisés, ont signé

la présente Convention.



Fait à La Haye, le.................... 19.., en français et

en anglais, les deux textes faisant également foi, en un seul

exemplaire, qui sera déposé dans les archives du Gouvernement

du Royaume des Pays-Bas et dont une copie certifiée conforme

Sera remise, par la voie diplomatique, à chacun des Etats

principles of de la Conférence de La Haye de droit international

privé lors de la septième session Dix, ainsi qu ' à chacun des

Autres Etats ayant participé à cette Session.



PROTECTION OF

CHILDREN AND

COOPERATION IN

THE RESPECT OF

INTERCOUNTRY

ADOPTION



The States signatory to the present Convention,



Recognizing that the child, for the full and harmonious

development of his or her personality, should grow up in a

family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and

understanding,



Recalling that each State should take, as a matter of

priority, appropriate measures to enable the child to remain

in the care of his or her family of origin,



Recognizing that intercountry adoption may sacrifice the

advantage of a permanent family to a child for whom a suitable

family cannot be



found in his or her State of origin,



Convinced of the to scout to take measures to ensure that

intercountry adoptions are made in the best interests of the

child and with respect for his or her fundamental rights, and

to prevent the abduction, the sale of, or traffic in children,



Desiring to establish common provisions to this effect,

taking into account the principles set forth in international

instruments, in particular the United Nations Convention on

the Rights of the Child, of 20 November 1989, and the United


Nations Declaration on Social and Legal Principles relating to

the Protection and Welfare of Children, with Special Reference

to Foster Placement and Adoption Nationally and

Internationally (General Assembly Resolution 41/85 of 3

December 1986),



Have agreed upon the following provisions-



CHAPTER I-SCOPE OF THE CONVENTION



Article 1



The objects of the present Convention are-



(a) to establish safeguards to ensure that intercountry

adoptions take place in the best interests of the child and

with respect for his or her fundamental rights as recognized

in international law;



(b) to establish a system of co-operation amongst Contracting

States to ensure that those safeguards are respect-ed and

thereby prevent the abduction, the sale of, or traffic in

the children;



(c) to secure the recognition in Contracting States of adoptions

made in accordance with the Convention.



Article 2



1 The Convention shall apply where a child habitually resident

in one Contracting State (the State of origin ") has been, is

being, or is to be moved to another Contracting State (' the

receiving State ") either after his or her adoption in the

State of origin by spouses or a person habitually resident in

the receiving State, or for the purposes of such an adoption

in the receiving State or in the State of origin.



(2) The Convention covers only adoptions which create a

Permanent parent-child relationship.



Article 3



The Convention ceases to apply if the agreements mentioned in

Article 17, sub paragraph c, have not been given before the

the child attains the age of eighteen years.



CHAPTER II-

REQUIREMENTS FOR

INTERCOUNTRY

ADOPTION



Article 4



An adoption within the scope of the Convention shall take

place only if the competent authorities of the State of origin

-



(a) have established that the child is adoptable;



(b) have determined, after possibilities for placement of the

child within the State of origin have been given due

consideration, that an intercountry adoption is in the child's

best interests;



(c) have ensured that



(1) the person, institution and authorities whose consent

is necessary for adoption, have been coun-selled as may be

necessary and duly informed of the effects of their consent,

in particular whether or not an adoption will result in the

termination of the legal relationship between the child and

his or her family of origin,



(2) such persons, institutions and authorities have given

their consent freely, in the required legal form, and

expressed or evidenced in writing;



(3) the consents have not been induced by payment or

compensation of any kind and have not been withdrawn, and



(4) the consent of the mother, where required, has been given

only after the birth of the child; and



d have ensured, having regard to the age and degree of

maturity of the child, that



(1) he or she has been counselled and duly informed of the

effects of the adoption and of his or her consent to the

adoption, where such consent is required,



(2) consideration has been given to the child's wishes and

public opinion,



(3) the child's consent to the adoption, where such consent

is required, has been given freely, in the required legal

form, and expressed or evidenced in writing, and



(4) such consent has not been induced by payment or

compensation of any kind.



Article 5



An adoption within the scope of the Convention shall take

place only if the competent authorities of the receiving State

-



(a) have determined that the prospective adoptive parents are

eligible and suited to adopt;



(b) have ensured that the prospective adoptive parents have been

counselled as may be necessary; and



(c) have determined that the child is or will be authorized to

Enter and reside permanently in that State.



CHAPTER III-



CENTRAL AUTHORITIES

AND ACCREDITED

BODIES



Article 6



1 A Contracting State shall designate a Central Authority to

discharge the duties which are imposed by the Convention upon

such authorities.



2 Federal States, States with more than one system of law or

States having autonomous territorial units shall be free to

appoint more than one Central Authority and to specify the

the territorial or personal extent of their functions. Where (a)

The State has appointed more than one Central Authority, it shall

designate the Central Authority to which any communication may

be addressed for transmission to the appropriate Central

Authority within that State.



Article 7



1 Central Authorities shall co-operate with each other and

promote co-operation amongst the competent authorities in

their States to protect children and to achieve the other

objects of the Convention.



2 They shall take directly all appropriate measures to-



(a) provide information as to the laws of their States

concerning adoption and other general information, such as

statistics and standard forms;



b keep one another informed about the operation of the

Convention and, as far as possible, eliminate any obstacles to

the its application.



Article 8



Central Authorities shall take, directly or through public

authorities, all appropriate measures to prevent improper

financial or other gain in connection with an adoption and to

item at all practices contrary to the objects of the Convention.



Article 9



Central Authorities shall take, directly or through public

authorities or other bodies duly accredited in their State,

all appropriate measures, in particular to-



(a) collect, preserve and exchange information about the

situation of the child and the prospective adoptive parents,

so far as is necessary to complete the adoption;



(b) facilitate, follow and expedite proceedings with a view to

obtaining the adoption;



(c) promote the development of adoption counselling and record-

adoption services in their States;



(d) provide each other with general evaluation reports about

experience with intercountry adoption;



e reply, in so far as it permitted by the law of their State,

to justified requests from other Central Authorities or public

authorities for information about a particular adoption

situation.



Article 10



Accreditation shall only be granted to and maintained by

bodies demonstrating their competence to carry out properly

the tasks with which they may be entrusted.



Article 11



An accredited body shall-



a pursue only non-profit objectives according to such

conditions and within such limits as may be established by the

competent authorities of the State of accreditation;



(b) be directed and staffed by persons qualified by their

ethical standards and by training or experience to work in the

field of intercountry adoption; and



(c) be subject to supervision by competent authorities of that

State as to its composition, operation and financial

situation.



Article 12



A body accredited in one Contracting State may act in another

Contracting State only if the competent authorities of both

States have authorized it to do so.



Article 13



The designation of the Central Authorities and, where

appropriate, the extent of their functions, as well as the

names and addresses of the accredited bodies shall be

communicated by each Contracting State to the Permanent Bureau

of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.



CHAPTER IV-



PROCEDURAL



REQUIREMENTS IN



INTERCOUNTRY



ADOPTION



Article 14



Persons habitually resident in a Contracting State, who wish

to adopt a child habitually resident in another Contracting

State, shall apply to the Central Authority in the State of

their habitual residence.



Article 15



1 If the Central Authority of the receiving State is satisfied

that the applicants are eligible and suited to adopt, it shall

prepare a report including information about their identity,

eligibility and suitability to adopt, background, family and

medical history, social environment, reasons for adoption,

ability to undertake an intercountry adoption, as well as the

characteristics of the children for whom they would be

qualified to care.



2 It shall transmit the report to the Central Authority of the

State of origin.



Article 16



1 If the Central Authority of the State of origin is satisfied

that the child is adoptable, it shall-



(a) prepare a report including information about his or her

identity, adoptability, background, social environment, family

history, medical history including that of the child's family,

and any special needs of the child;



(b) give due consideration to the child's upbringing and to his

or her ethnic, religious and cultural background;



(c) ensure that consents have been obtained in accordance with

Article 4; and



(d) determine, on the basis in particular of the reports

relating to the child and the prospective adoptive parents,

whether the envisaged placement is in the best interests of

the child.



2 It shall transmit to the Central Authority of the receiving

State its report on the child, proof that the necessary

consents have been obtained and the reasons for its

determination on the placement, taking care not to reveal the

identity of the mother and the father if, in the State of

origin, these identities may not be disclosed.



Article 17



Any decision in the State of origin that a child should be

entrusted to prospective adoptive parents may only be made if

-



(a) the Central Authority of that State has ensured that the

prospective adoptive parents agree;



b the Central Authority of the receiving State has approved

such decision, where such approval is required by the law of

that State or by the Central Authority of the State of origin;



(c) the Central Authorities of both States have agreed that the

adoption may proceed; and



(d) it has been determined, in accordance with Article 5, that

the prospective adoptive parents are eligible and suited to


adopt and that the child is or will be authorized to enter and

reside permanently in the receiving State.



Article 18



The Central Authorities of both States shall take all

necessary steps to obtain permission for the child to leave

the State of origin and to enter and reside permanently in the

receiving State.



Article 19



1 The transfer of the child to the receiving State may only be

carried out if the requirements of Article 17 have been

satisfied.



2 The Central Authorities of both States shall ensure that

This transfer takes place in secure and appropriate

circumstances and, if possible, in the company of the adoptive

or prospective adoptive parents.



3 If the transfer of the child does not take place, the

reports referred to in Articles 15 and 16 are to be sent back

to the authorities who forwarded them.



Article 20



The Central Authorities shall keep each other informed about

the adoption process and the measures taken to complete it, as

well as about the progress of the placement if a probationary

period is required.



Article 21



1 Where the adoption is to take place after the transfer of

the child to the receiving State and it appears to the Central

Authority of the State that the continued placement of the

the child with the prospective adoptive parents is not in the

child's best interests, such Central Authority shall take the

measures necessary to protect the child, in particular-



(a) to cause the child to be withdrawn from the prospective

adoptive parents and to arrange temporary care;



(b) in consultation with the Central Authority of the State of

origin, to arrange without delay a new placement of the child

with a view to adoption or, if this is not appropriate, to

arrange alternative long-term care; an adoption shall not take

place until the Central Authority of the State of origin has

been duly informed concerning the new prospective adoptive

parents;



(c) as a last resort, to arrange the return of the child, if his

or her interests so require.



2 Having regard in particular to the age and degree of

maturity of the child, he or she shall be consulted and, where

appropriate, his or her consent obtained in relation to

measures to be taken under this Article.



Article 22



1 The functions of a Central Authority under this Chapter may

be performed by public authorities or by bodies accredited

under Chapter III, to the extent permitted by the law of its

State.



2 Any Contracting State may declare to the depositary of the

Convention that the functions of the Central Authority under

Articles 15 to 21 may be performed in that State, to the

extent permitted by the law and subject to the supervision of

the competent authorities of that State, also by bodies or

person who-



(a) meet the requirements of integrity, professional competence,

experience and accountability of that State; and



b are qualified by their ethical standards and by training or

experience to work in the field of intercountry adoption.



3 A Contracting State which makes the declaration provided for

in paragraph 2 shall keep the Permanent Bureau of the Hague

Conference on Private International Law informed of the names

and addresses of these bodies and persons.



4 Any Contracting State may declare to the depositary of the

Convention that adoptions of children habitually resident in

its territory may only take place if the functions of the

The Central Authorities are performed in accordance with paragraph

1.



5 Notwithstanding any declaraion made under paragraph 2, the

reports provided for in Articles 15 and 16 shall, in every

case, be prepared under the responsibility of the Central

Authority or other authorities or bodies in accordance with

paragraph 1.



CHAPTER V-



RECOGNITION AND

EFFECTS OF



THE ADOPTION



Article 23



1 An adoption certified by the competent authority of the

State of the adoption as having been made in accordance with

the Convention shall be recognized by operation of law in the

other Contracting States. The certificate shall specify when

and by whom the agreements under Article 17, sub paragraph (c),

were given.



2 Each Contracting State shall, at the time of signature,

ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, notify the

depositary of the Convention of the identity and the functions

of the authority or the authorities which, in that State, are

competent to make the certification. It shall also notify the

depositary of any modification in the designation of these

authorities.



Article 24



The recognition of an adoption may be refused in a Contracting

State only if the adoption is manifestly contrary to its

public policy, taking into account the best interests of the

child.



Article 25



Any Contracting State may declare to the depositary of the

Convention that it will not be bound under this Convention to

recognize adoptions made in accordance with an agreement

concluded by application of Article 39, paragraph 2.



Article 26



1 The recognition of an adoption includes recognition of



a the legal parent-child re-lationship between the child and

his or her adoptive parents;



(b) parental responsibility of the adoptive parents for the

child;



(c) the termination of a pre-existing legal relationship between

the child and his or her mother and father, if the adoption

has this effect in the Contracting State where it was made.



2 In the case of an adoption having the effect of terminating

a pre-existing legal parentchild relationship, the child

shall enjoy in the receiving State, and in any other

Contracting State where the adoption is recognized, rights

equivalent to those resulting from adoptions having this

effect in each such State.



(3) The preceding paragraphs shall not prejudice the application

of any provision more favourable for the child, in force in

the Contracting State which recognizes the adoption.



Article 27



(1) Where an adoption granted in the State of origin does not

have the effect of terminating a pre-existing legal parent

child relationship, it may, in the receiving State which

recognizes the adoption under the Convention, be converted

into an adoption having such an effect



(a) if the law of the receiving State so permits; and



b if the consents referred to in Article 4, sub paragraphs (c)

and d, have been or are given for the purpose of such an

adoption.



2 Article 23 applies to the decision converting the adoption.



CHAPTER VI-GENERAL



PROVISIONS



Article 28



The Convention does not affect any law of a State of origin

which requires that the adoption of a child habitually

resident within that State take place in that State or which

prohibits the child's placement in, or transfer to, the

receiving State prior to adoption.



Article 29



There shall be no contact between the prospective adoptive

the parents and the child's parents or any other person who has

care of the child until the requirements of Article 4, sub-

paragraphs (a) to (c), and Article 5, paragraph (a), sub-have been

the met, unless the adoption takes place within a family or unless

the contact is in compliance with the conditions established

by the competent authority of the State of origin.



Article 30



1 The competent authorities of a Contracting State shall

ensure that information held by them concerning the child's

origin, in particular information concerning the identity of

his or her parents, as well as the medical history, is

preserved.



2 They shall ensure that the child or his or her

Representative has access to such information, under

appropriate guidance, in so far as is permitted by the law of

that State.



Article 31



Without prejudice to Article 30, personal data gathered or

transmitted under the Convention, especially data referred to

in Articles 15 and 16, shall be used only for the purposes for

which they were gathered or transmitted.



Article 32



1 No one shall derive improper financial or other gain from an

activity related to an intercountry adoption.



2 Only costs and expenses, including reasonable professional

fees of persons involved in the adoption, may be charged or

paid.



3 The directors, administrators and employees of bodies

involved in an adoption shall not receive remuneration which

is unreasonably high in relation to services rendered.



Article 33



A competent authority which finds that any provision of the

Convention has not been respected or that there is a serious

the risk that it may not be respected, shall immediately inform

the Central Authority of its State. This Central Authority

shall be responsible for ensuring that appropriate measures

are the roofs.



Article 34



If the competent authority of the State of destination of a

document so requests, a translation certified as being in

conformity with the original must be furnished. Unless

otherwise provided, the costs of such translation are to be

borne by the prospective adoptive parents.



Article 35



The competent author-ities of the Contracting States shall

act expeditiously in the process of adoption.



Article 36



In relation to a State which has two or more systems of law

with regard to adoption applicable in different territorial

units-



(a) any reference to habitual residence in that State shall be

construed as referring to habitual residence in a territorial

unit of that State;



(b) any reference to the law of that State shall be construed as

referring to the law in force in the relevant territorial

Unit;



(c) any reference to the competent authorities or to the public

authorities of that State shall be construed as referring to

those authorized to act in the relevant territorial unit;



(d) any reference to the accredited bodies of that State shall

be construed as referring to bodies accredited in the relevant

territorial unit.



Article 37



In relation to a State which with regard to adoption has two


or more systems of law applicable to different categories of

person, any reference to the law of that State shall be

construed as referring to the legal system specified by the

law of that State.



Article 38



A State within which different territorial units have their

own rules of law in respect of adoption shall not be bound to

apply the Convention where a State with a unified system of

the law would not be bound to do so.



Article 39



1 The Convention does not affect any international in-struments

to which Contracting States are Parties and which contains

provisions on matters governed by the Convention, unless a

contrary declaration is made by the States Parties to such

instruments.



2 Any Contracting State may enter into agreements with one or

more other Contracting States, with a view to improving the

application of the Convention in their mutual relations. These

agreements may derogate only from the provisions of Article 14

to 16 and 18 to 21. The States which have concluded such an

Agreement shall transmit a copy to the depositary of the

Convention.



Article 40



No reservation to the Convention shall be permitted.



Article 41



The Convention shall apply in every case where an application

pursuant to Article 14 has been received after the Convention

has entered into force in the receiving State and the State of

origin.



Article 42



The Secretary General of the Hague Conference on Private

International Law shall at regular intervals convene a Special

Commission in order to review the practical operation of the

Convention.



CHAPTER VII-FINAL



CLAUSES



Article 43



1 The Convention shall be open for signature by the States

which were Members of the Hague Conference on Private

International Law at the time of its Seventeenth Session and

by the other States which participated in that Session.



2 It shall be ratified, accepted or approved and the

instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be

deposited with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom

of the Netherlands, depositary of the Convention.



Article 44



1 Any other State may accede to the Convention after it has

entered into force in accordance with Article 46, paragraph 1.



2 The instrument of accession shall be deposited with the

depositary.



3 Such accession shall have effect only as regards the

relations between the acceding State and those Contracting

States which have not raised an objection to its accession in

the six months after the receipt of the notification referred

to in sub-paragraph b of Article 48. Such an objection may

also be raised by States at the time when they ratify, accept

or approve the Convention after an accession. Any such

objection shall be notified to the depositary.



Article 45



1 If a State has two or more territorial units in which

different systems of law are applicable in relation to matters

dealt with in the Convention, it may at the time of signature,

ratification, acceptance, approval or accession declare that

This Convention shall extend to all its territorial units or

only to one or more of them and may modify this declaration by

submitting another declaration at any time.



2 Any such declaration shall be notified to the depositary and

shall state expressly the territorial units to which the

Convention applies.



(3) If a State makes no declaration under this Article, the

The Convention is to extend to all territorial units of that

State.



Article 46



1 The Convention shall enter into force on the first day of

the month following the expiration of three months after the

deposit of the third instrument of ratification, acceptance or

the approval referred to in Article 43.



2 Thereafter the Convention shall enter into force-



(a) for each State ratifying, accepting or approving it

subsequently, or acceding to it, on the first day of the month

following the expiration of three months after the deposit of

its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or

accession;



b for a territorial unit to which the Convention has been

extended in conformity with Article 45, on the first day of

the month following the expiration of three months after the

notification referred to in that Article.



Article 47



1 A State Party to the Convention may denounce it by a

notification in writing addressed to the depositary.



2 The denunciation takes effect on the first day of the month

following the expiration of twelve months after the

notification is received by the depositary. Where a longer

period for the denunciation to take effect is specified in the

notification, the denunciation takes effect upon the

the expiration of such longer period after the notification is

received by the depositary.



Article 48



The depositary shall notify the States Members of the Hague

Conference on Private International Law, the other States

which participated in the Seventeenth Session and the States

which have acceded in accordance with Article 44, of the

following-



(a) the signatures, ratifications, acceptances and approvals

referred to in Article 43;



(b) the objections raised to the accession and the accession referred

to in Article 44;



(c) the date on which the Convention enters into force in

accordance with Article 46;



(d) the declarations and designations referred to in Articles

22, 23, 25 and 45;



e the agreements referred to in Article 39;



f the denunciations referred to in Article 47.



In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorized

thereto, have signed this Convention.



Done at The Hague, on the ... the ... day of ... ... .... 19..

the English and French languages, both texts being equally

authentic, in a single copy which shall be deposited in the

the archives of the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands,

and of which a certified copy shall be sent, through

diplomatic channels, to each of the States Members of the

Hague Conference on Private International Law at the date of

its Seventeenth Session and to each of the other States which

participated in that Session.